Fun Museums in Amsterdam .

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Amsterdam

Ripley's is a curiosities museum filled with bizarre objects, strange facts, optical illusions, and unexpected displays. It's easy to walk through, easy to enjoy, and works well for families, couples, or a quick activity in the city center.

Opening Hours
Daily: 10:00 - 22:00. Last ticket admission at 21:00.

Location
Dam 21, 1012 JS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tickets
€ 22.50 Adult
€ 13.50 Child
Tickets are sold through the official Ripley's ticket system. Time slots may differ.

Good to Know
It's very central, so it's a good stop between other activities around Dam Square.
Expect a mix of funny, weird, and slightly creepy displays.
Works well even if you only have an hour.

Take a Peek Inside

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

Madame Tussauds is Amsterdam's wax museum, with lifelike figures of celebrities, sports stars, and famous public figures. It's designed for photos and quick fun, and it's right on Dam Square.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 - 18:15
Friday to Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00
Hours change by date, but the official website shows the exact schedule for each day.

Location
Dam 20, 1012 NP Amsterdam
Dam Square area (central Amsterdam).

Tickets
€19.00 Online Saver Ticket
€27.00 Door price
€85.00 Exclusive FAME Experience
€21.00 Late Ticket (from 18:00)
There are combined tickets, and pre-book tickets are available on the official website.

Good to Know
It's mainly about photos and interactive rooms, not learning history.
If you book the last time slot, you have 1.5 hours inside.
Easy to combine with Ripley's since they're both near Dam Square.

Take a Peek Inside

Houseboat Museum Amsterdam

The Houseboat Museum is a real Amsterdam houseboat turned into a small museum. You walk through the rooms and see what it's like to live on the canals. It's one of the simplest and most genuinely Amsterdam museums you can visit.
You can also experience a boat tours or private dinner cruise offered by The Houseboat Museum.
Private Boat Tours Amsterdam (Houseboat-focused canal cruise): If you want a canal cruise that feels personal and flexible, the Private Boat Tours Amsterdam option lets you cruise in a smaller private boat where you can choose your route. The captain also acts as a guide and shares facts about Amsterdam's canals and houseboat life, so it's a good fit if you want to learn something while still keeping it relaxed. Boats include classic and modern options, and they mention that the cruises can also show you houseboats on the canals and along the Amstel.
Private Dinner Cruise Amsterdam (canal cruise + dinner on board): The Private Dinner Cruise Amsterdam combines sightseeing on the canals with a dinner experience on a private salon boat. You can choose different cruise lengths, including a 2-hour dinner cruise and longer options with more courses. The page also highlights that food and drinks are charged separately, and that you can pick from different restaurant options depending on what style of dinner you want.

Opening Hours
Daily: 10:00 - 17:00

Location
Prinsengracht 296K, 1016 HW Amsterdam

Tickets
€9.50 Adults
€5.00 Children up to 12 year
The price for a private luxury canal cruise Amsterdam starts at 250 EUR for the first hour. Ticket prices vary depending on all day entrance or a morning entrance. Tickets are available on the website.

Good to Know
It's small, best as a short stop rather than a main activity.
Perfect if you're already walking through the Jordaan or canal belt.
Good rainy-day option.

Take a Peek Inside

Het Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum)

Het Scheepvaartmuseum is the National Maritime Museum of the Netherlands. It covers Dutch sea history, global trade, naval stories, and how water shaped the country. It's a large museum and works well for both adults and children.

Opening Hours
Daily: 10:00 - 17:00

Location
Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam
Eastern Docklands area.

Tickets
€20.00 Adults
€ 8.50 Children 5 to 17 years
€ 0.00 Children up to 4 years
€ 8.50 Students
€ 0.00 Museumcard
Official website for tickets

Good to Know
Closed on certain holidays like Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Best choice if you want something larger and more like a classic museum.
Strong mix of history and visuals.

Take a Peek Inside

KattenKabinet (Cat Museum Amsterdam)

KattenKabinet is a small art museum dedicated entirely to cats in paintings, posters, and creative objects. It's quirky, calm, and very Amsterdam in character. If you like cats even a little, you'll probably enjoy it.

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00

Location
Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam

Tickets
€12.50 Adult
€ 7.50 Seniors
€ 7.50 Student
€0.00 Children up to 12 years
Official website for tickets

Good to Know
Small museum, easy to combine with a canal walk.
Great option if you want something different without big crowds.

Take a Peek Inside

The Amsterdam Dungeon

The Amsterdam Dungeon is a live-actor attraction with dark humor, spooky scenes, and theatrical storytelling based on Amsterdam's history.
Think jump-scares, short shows, and a guided route through themed rooms.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday and Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 19:00
Opening hours vary by day, so always check the official schedule before you go.

Location
Rokin 78, 1012 KW Amsterdam
Central Amsterdam (Dam area).

Tickets
€24.00 Online Saver Ticket
€37.50 Door ticket
There are combined tickets, and pre-book tickets are available via the official website.

Good to Know
This is more of a live experience than a museum.
Book at least a day in advance for better pricing.
Best for adults and older teens who enjoy dark humor.

Take a Peek Inside

Torture Museum Amsterdam

The Torture Museum shows historical punishment tools and torture devices, mainly from medieval Europe.
It's small, direct, and mostly about seeing objects and reading explanations.

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00

Location
Singel 449, 1012 WP Amsterdam
Central Amsterdam (near the Flower Market area).

Tickets
€ 9.00 Adults
€ 5.00 Children

Good to Know
This is a dark theme and can be intense for some visitors.
It's a short visit compared to most museums.
Good option if you want something unusual and quick.

Take a Peek Inside

Sexmuseum Amsterdam

Sexmuseum Amsterdam is an adult-themed museum that looks at erotic art, objects, and historical sexual culture.
It's presented in a playful way and is one of Amsterdam's most well-known curiosity museums.

Opening Hours
Daily: 10:00 - 18:00

Location
Damrak 18, 1012 LH, Amsterdam

Tickets
€10.00 Adult

Good to Know
Minimum age: 16+
Tickets remain valid for 3 months after purchase, no date reservation needed.
Very close to Central Station.

Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum Amsterdam

This museum explores the history and culture of cannabis and hemp, using objects, documents, and stories about how the plant has been used in different ways. It's right in the Red Light District, but the museum itself is more educational than most people expect.

Opening Hours
Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 20:00
Friday - Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00

Location
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, 1012 DV Amsterdam

Tickets
€ 9.50 Regular ticket
€ 0.00 Up to 12 year
€ 7.60 Group (from 10 people)
Official website for ticket

Good to Know
Walkable from Dam Square and Central Station.
Good if you want something very Amsterdam-specific without it being a party activity.
Free for children under 13 with an adult.